Rams’ defense grounds Brady
Los Angeles outside linebacker Samson Ebukam sacks Tampa Bay quarterback Tom Brady in the Rams’ 2724 victory over the Buccaneers on Monday in Tampa, Fla. The Rams moved to the top of the NFC West with the win.
TAMPA, Fla. — Cal alum Jared Goff threw for 376 yards and three touchdowns, and Matt Gay kicked a 40yard field goal with 2: 36 remaining to give the Los Angeles Rams a 2724 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Monday night.
Goff completed 39 of 51 passes, including short scoring throws to RobertWoods, Van Jefferson and Cam Akers. The Rams’ defense pressured Tom Brady all night and sealed the win with rookie safety Jordan Fuller’s second interception of the sixtime Super Bowl champion.
“I was just in my zone, and the quarterback ended up throwing it in my direction,” Fuller said. “I was just telling myself, ‘ Don’t drop it, don’t drop it, don’t drop it.’ The second one was kind of the same. I was just reading the quarterback’s eyes and was able to go out there and get it.”
Cooper Kupp had 11 receptions for 145 yards andWoods finished with 10 catches for 130 yards to help the Rams climb back into first place in the NFC West. Both caught passes on the eightplay, 53yard drive Goff led to move Los Angeles into position for Gay’s winning kick.
Brady was 26 of 48 for 216 yards and two touchdowns. The Rams sacked him once after getting to RussellWilson six times in the previous week’s 2316 victory over the Seattle Seahawks.
“Disappointed. I have to do a better job,” Brady said.
Tampa Bay was limited to a touchdown and field goal in the second half, both set up by interceptions thrown by Goff.
“They did a good job preventing ( the big play),” Brady said. “They play a defense that makes them tough to hit. Not impossible, but we didn’t hit any.”
Gay, a 2019 Bucs draft pick who was released after a rookie season marked by inconsistency, is the Rams’ third kicker in four weeks.
“I found out on Monday that the Rams were bringing me in,” Gay said. “It was a quick flight so I could begin testing so I could be eligible for the game. Saturday was the first day I could be in the building. Luckily we played Monday night.”
The Bucs ( 74) fell to 13 in four primetime games despite avoiding the type of slow start that hurt them in losses to the Chicago Bears and New Orleans Saints and nearly cost them in a narrow victory over the New York Giants.
Coach Bruce Arians adjusted the team’s preparation schedule last week, holding two practices at night — one at Raymond James Stadium.
“Everybody is disappointed. Everybody was ready to play,” Arians said. “We played a good football team. Nobody’s head is down.”
Brady answered a 10play, 80yard, 7minute, 55second drive Goff led to give the Rams a 70 lead with a couple of long scoring drives of his own to put the Bucs up 147 with a 9yard TD pass to Mike Evans.
Goff threw firsthalf TD passes toWoods and Jefferson, then usedWoods’ 20yard catch and run to the Tampa Bay 20 to set up Gay’s 38yard field goal as time expired to give Los Angeles a 1714 lead at halftime.
With the Bucs trailing 2417, Brady took advantage of Goff throwing his second interception of the night. Chris Godwin’s 13yard TD catch made it 24all, setting the stage for Goff to move the Rams downfield for the goahead field goal.